Governor Dayton's Better Minnesota State Address

St. Paul, MN (NNCNOW.com) - Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton told us his plan for a Better Minnesota in his State of the State Address Wednesday night.
A few weeks ago Governor Dayton released his budget proposal to erase the deficit in part by tax increases on the richest two percent of state residents.
He stood firm saying it was the right direction to put the state on a solid financial footing.
Governor Dayton said his budget for the next biennium will lift the state out of its deficit struggle by illuminating a $1.1 billion deficit and begin the following biennium with a projected surplus.
Strides are already being taken in the economic arena.
The Governor pointed out Minnesota's job growth in 2012 was the 12 best among all 50 states beating out Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota.
As for his proposal to increase taxes for the top two percent of wage earners in the state which he says is necessary.
"In the decade after Minnesota's income tax reductions, our economy fared worse than the nation and most other states. And at both the federal and state levels, big tax cuts followed by serious recessions produced large budget deficits, which threaten our current finsal strength and future economic prosperity," said Gov. Dayton.
Minnesota Lawmakers must still put their final stamp of approval on any state budget and the dedline for that is April 14.
Senate and House Repubican leaders, David Hann and Kurt Daudt are critical of the governor's plan which calls for an increase on taxes and spending, which they say will hurt the middle class and low income families.
Posted to the web by Kati Anderson.
kanderson@kbjr.com